LPs
Australian LPs struggle to recruit PE talent - AVCJ Forum
Recruitment is the biggest challenge for Australian institutional investors as they look to deepen their participation in private equity, senior executives told the AVCJ Australia & New Zealand Forum.
Fund focus: Unicorn sticks to early-stage remit
China venture capital-focused fund-of-funds Unicorn Capital Partners raises $250 million with an eye on an increasingly challenging but rewarding early-stage technology space
AIIB approves $100m commitment to Indian sovereign fund
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a $100 million investment in the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), an Indian government-backed vehicle intended to mobilize investment in infrastructure.
HQ raises $250m for Asia secondaries fund
HQ Capital has closed an Asia-focused secondaries fund at the hard cap of $250 million as part of an oversubscribed global fundraising drive that has received $674 million in third-party commitments.
Valuation standards: Counting their blessings
Asian GPs’ portfolio valuation practices remain largely opaque, despite the value of standard frameworks. LP demand will be key to moving the industry in a more transparent direction
BBVA backs China Sinovation Ventures’ fourth fund
Spanish bank BBVA has committed $50 million to Chinese VC firm Sinovation Ventures’ latest US-dollar denominated fund.
Australia’s Blackbird raises $173m for third fund
Australian venture capital firm Blackbird Ventures has reached a first close of A$225 million ($173 million) on its third fund - including a commitment from Future Fund, the country's sovereign wealth fund.
China tightens controls on LP participation in offshore funds
China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has implemented rules that effectively add another layer of approval for LP commitments by domestic investors to offshore private equity funds.
Taiwan’s Ruentex Industries commits $100m to Hopu fund
Taiwan-based textiles manufacturer Ruentex Industries has committed $100 million to the third US dollar-denominated fund launched by Hopu Investments, the China-focused GP led by former Goldman Sachs banker Fang Fenglei.
Japan’s GPIF awards another infrastructure mandate
Pantheon Group has won an infrastructure mandate from Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the second made by the pension fund to a global fund-of-funds.
AIIB set to support Indian sovereign wealth fund
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a Beijing-based multilateral development bank aimed at supporting infrastructure projects in the region, plans to invest up to $200 million in the Indian government-backed National Infrastructure and Investment...
Ardian opens Japan office to capture local LP interest in alternatives
Ardian has opened an office in Tokyo - its third in Asia - with a view to capitalizing on growing demand for exposure to alternatives, including private equity, from Japanese institutional investors.
Baidu Ventures makes $318m first close on AI fund
Baidu Ventures, an independent VC firm set up by Chinese internet player Baidu, has achieved a first close of more than RMB2 billion ($318 million) on its second renminbi-denominated fund that focuses on artificial intelligence (AI).
China’s Legend Star closes $127m VC fund
Legend Star, the early-stage investment arm of China’s Legend Holdings, has closed its third VC fund at RMB800 million ($127 million).
China’s GenBridge closes debut fund at $500m hard cap
GenBridge Capital, a private equity firm set up by former executives from Chinese online retailer JD.com and TPG Capital, has closed its debut consumer-focused fund at the hard cap of $500 million.
China’s 6 Dimensions raises $844m for debut healthcare fund
China’s 6 Dimensions Capital, which was formed through the merger of WuXi Healthcare Ventures and Frontline BioVentures, has raised approximately $844 million for its debut healthcare fund.
Chinese GP accused of misusing SF Express project fund
Longstand Capital, a Chinese PE fund manager, has accused industry counterpart Beijing Dabai Huicai Investment Management of taking capital intended for investment in SF Express, China’s largest express delivery services provider, and putting it into...
ADIA commits $1b to India’s state-backed infra fund
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), a sovereign wealth fund based in the United Arab Emirates, has committed $1 billion to the Indian government’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF).
Vertex closes Southeast Asia, India fund at $210m
Vertex Ventures, the VC arm of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has closed its latest Southeast Asia and India fund at $210 million, exceeding the $150 million target.
Hostplus commits $50m in Artesian’s China VC fund
Australian superannuation fund Hostplus has committed $50 million to a China-focused VC fund launched by Australian seed investor Artesian. The fund is targeting up to $200 million.
Asia Alternatives closes $1.8b fund-of-funds
Asia Alternatives has reached a final close of $1.8 billion across its fifth private equity fund-of-funds and a number of related vehicles.
China Life, Baidu launch $1b tech PE fund
China Life Insurance Group and internet search giant Baidu have agreed to form a RMB7 billion ($1 billion) private equity fund to invest in technology companies.
Aberdeen Standard Investments names new China head
Aberdeen Standard Investments, a new global asset manager created by the merger of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life Investments, has named a China head to strengthen the firm’s relationships with Chinese investors.
Blue Lake reaches $120m first close on China VC fund
Blue Lake Capital, a China-focused VC firm led by two former GGV Capital and Sequoia Capital executives, has reached a first close of more than $120 million on its second early-stage fund. The full target is $200 million.